Monday, December 15, 2008

Ice ahoy! Gin and Titonic is guaranteed to be an unsinkable addition to your next party or boating launching! This reusable ice tray contains four icy Titanic ships and four menacing icebergs. Pair the up in your mixed drinks and re-create history. Go ahead… sink another round.Just add gin (or any other spirits of your choice...like Vodka), some friends...maybe a sea captain and let the fun begin!Tray measures: 5” wide x 6” long.This great gift idea is available at Perpetual Kid. Click on the follow link for details:

Thursday, December 11, 2008

Born via surrogate in early August, Ricky Martin's 4-month-old twin boys make their debut in this week's issue of PEOPLE, on newsstands Friday.

A joyful Martin, 36, spoke candidly with PEOPLE at home in Puerto Rico about his desire to be a parent, the decision to seek the help of a surrogate and juggling caring for twins – he has no nanny!

PEOPLE: Describe this time in your life

MARTIN: I'm so happy! Everything they do, from smiling to crying, feels like a blessing. Being a father feels amazing. This has been the most spiritual moment in my life.

How hands-on are you as a father?

I don't have a nanny. I'm doing this on my own because I don't want to miss a moment. I have a personal assistant who helps me, someone who takes care of me while I'm taking care of them, but I'm the one who changes the diapers, the one that feeds them, the one that bathes them, the one that puts them to sleep.

For any parent, the first couple of months tend to get a little bit intense. Why did you choose to become a parent via surrogate?

Adoption was one option, but it's complicated and can take a long time. Surrogacy was an intriguing and faster option. I thought, 'I'm going to jump into this with no fear.'

Tell us about Valetino's and Matteo's personalities.

Valentino loves to sleep. I call him 'Mr. Peace and Love' because he's so chill and serene. Matteo is more alert and active. He was up at 3 a.m. the other night and just hanging!

What is your philosophy on raising your sons?

I love to read books to my sons and tell them stories. I play music for them so they develop their own personalities. I want to give them information and raise them with honesty and love, and give them self-esteem and a lot of acceptance.

For more on Ricky Martin, including photos of the twins' nursery and the full interview, pick up this week's issue of PEOPLE, on newsstands Friday.

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Shopping at a bulk retailer like Costco or BJ’s is a great way to control costs and embrace thrift, right? Well, sometimes, but not always.

When we think of compulsive shopping and running up the credit card bill we tend to think of upscale department stores, a closet full of clothes with the tags still on them, expensive electronics and other non-necessity items. We don’t think of a cavernous warehouse and a shopping cart filled with two-gallon containers of mayonnaise.

Certainly, there are bargains to be found at bulk stores and buying clubs, but not every 20-lb bag of chicken wings or 40-pack of tube socks is a deal. Dr. Miriam Tatzel, a social psychologist and professor at Empire State College who is an expert in consumer psychology, says that bargain shopping can lead to impulse spending because, “There’s a perception of value.”

Dr. Tatzel says shoppers can walk into Costco or Sam’s Club with an artificial sense of security. “It’s defined as something that’s going to save you money, so you use less critical judgment,” she says. The good doctor offered the following advice to make sure your membership card is working for you, not the other way around.

Make a List

“The paradox of bargain hunting is that you wind up with things you don’t need,” says Tatzel. “You have to begin to think, ‘I don’t really need that.’” She recommends heading to the store with a list to help give you focus.

Bring a Friend

If you shop with someone else you’ll be less likely to overspend. Tatzel explained that part of overbuying can be a reward to oneself or thinking, “I deserve this.” When you shop with someone else you tend to concentrate more on the business of shopping and less of the emotion. Also, you can arrange in advance with your shopping buddy to critique one another’s carts, and help eliminate extraneous items. “Bring someone along to help put the brakes on,” says Tatzel.

Be a Price Maven – or Find One

The only thing better than a shopping buddy is a shopping buddy who is also a price maven. You know, that friend who knows the price of every item at every store in town, plus four or five online spots. As Dr. Tatzel pointed out, when you’re shopping at a place like Sam’s Club it’s easy to assume that every item is a deal. If you know the price elsewhere, you won’t fall into this trap.

Certain areas of the store carry more risk than others, “Big displays and end of aisle displays are designed to appear as though they’re sales or deals,” says Tatzel.

Factor in Other Costs

Say you know the cost of a box of pasta at the local grocery store is the same as the nine-box pack you see on the shelf at Costco. Is the convenience of buying in bulk worth it, even if you’re paying the same in the end? That depends. If you live far from the store and gas is a major expense, then yes. If you live in a tiny apartment and having to store the pasta would take up space where you could store other food, or would just plain stress you out, then no. Also, in terms of groceries in particular, always ask yourself whether your family will use it all before it spoils. Dry goods with a long shelf life and freezable items are generally the best bets, unless you’re planning a large party or gathering.

Review Before Buying

The checkout line is one of the most dangerous places in the store. “It’s called ‘point of purchase’ and they get you while you’re standing on line,” notes Tatzel. You know, those items you suddenly realize you need when you see them next to the checkout – batteries, gum, gift cards, gadgets. Instead, look through your cart and try to remove at least two items. “A gallon of ketchup may be great for a large family or a commune,” says Tatzel. “But do you really need it?”

Paul Abdul is blaming American Idol producers for allowing known stalker Paula Goodspeed to get close to her.Abdul, in a Sirius XM radio interview on Barbara Live! with Barbara Walters Monday night, said that she was familiar with Goodspeed – which prompted her to beg producers not to let her audition for Season 5 of the FOX talent show.Despite Abdul's requests, the producers went ahead and ushered Goodspeed into the room. "She had been writing disturbing letters for 17 years, almost 18 years," Abdul, 46, said in the interview. "We had restraining orders at times."On Nov. 11, police discovered Goodspeed dead of an apparent suicide outside of Abdul's home. Abdul told People Magazine she has not slept in that house since.For years before that, Goodspeed was kept at a distance from Abdul, simply because she didn't have the singer-dancer's home address. Said the Idol judge, "For me, I was lucky enough that all the letters would come through the fan club. But come American Idol, when anyone could audition, she showed up."Abdul said that on the day of Goodspeed's audition, Idol producers told her they had found – and were about to bring in – a fan who was "crazy about" Paula. Abdul immediately objected. "I said, 'This girl is a stalker of mine. Please do not let her in.' Everyone knew. I was shaking."The producers overrode her protests, said Abdul, citing what they said would be the "entertainment value" of someone like Goodspeed – despite the potential peril – because it would "be fun for them to cause me stress."Abdul further claimed to Walters that Goodspeed also showed up at auditions in Las Vegas that year and came back to try out for Season 6. From one of the auditions, Goodspeed was finally able to follow Abdul home.

From that time on, said Abdul, Goodspeed sent naked pictures of herself to Abdul and, in some letters, threatened her with "bodily harm.""She said the only way I will serve her purpose is when I'm up in heaven being her guardian angel."Since Goodspeed's alleged suicide outside Abdul's home, "I've been in tears," Abdul says. She's also told producers that they should have listened to her.Asked by Walters why she continues to be a part of American Idol, Abdul responded, "Well, I'm under contract." Calls to FOX were not immediately returned.(Article from People.com)

Jennifer Hudson is getting back to work less than two months after three of her family members were fatally shot in Chicago.The Grammy-nominated singer is scheduled to begin filming a video for the single "If It Isn't Love" next week, her label J Records tells the Associated Press.

Hudson, 27, was supposed to start filming the clip in Los Angeles when her mother, Darnell Hudson Donerson, 57, brother, Jason Hudson, 27, and nephew Julian, 7, were killed in October.William Balfour, Hudson's estranged brother-in-law who is married to Hudson's sister Julia, was charged with three counts of first-degree murder last week. His lawyer has said Balfour " did not commit these crimes."Hudson hasn't made any public appearances since the tragedy, however she issued a statement last week after being nominated for four Grammys for her debut album."It's been a childhood dream of mine to release an album, so to receive four Grammy nominations is truly a blessing," she said. "I am extremely honored and humbled by the nominations."

Disney has unveiled the first full trailer for The Proposal, a big summer comedy starring Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds.In the beginning, the two hate each other, as one is an asshole boss (Bullock), while the other is a troublesome assistant (Reynolds). Due to a technicality, the boss fakes her marriage to her assistant in order to prevent from being deported. In essence, the concept is like I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry, but with a real heterosexual couple.Admittedly, this trailer doesn't look that bad. And if you didn't think Sandra Bullock could look attractive anymore, then watch this, I'm sure you might change your mind.

Watch the first trailer for The Proposal:

In addition to Bullock and Reynolds, Mary Steenburgen, Craig T. Nelson, Betty White, Denis O'Hare, and Malin Akerman all appear in the movie as well.Disney will debut The Proposal in theaters everywhere on June 12, 2009.

Tuesday, December 9, 2008

Grey’s Anatomy star T.R. Knight, who has played lovable intern George O’Malley since the show’s debut, has asked producers to write him off the hit medical drama.

While details of his exit have yet to be ironed out, a source close to the situation says that it seems likely Knight’s request will be granted and he will be released from his contract.

Recent reports that Knight has not been attending table-reads for upcoming episodes or that he had walked off the set and cleaned out his dressing room are inaccurate, a rep for Knight tells People: “He has been there every day. He was at a table read yesterday. He hasn’t said goodbye to anyone.” The rep had no further comment on his possible exit.

Of speculation that Knight was still upset about former cast member Isaiah Washington’s alleged use of a homophobic slur about him — which prompted Knight to reveal he was gay, and which some felt series creator Shonda Rhimes took too long to rectify with Washington’s dismissal — a source familiar with Grey’s says it is false.“The Isaiah stuff has no relevance at all,” says the source. “T.R. doesn’t even know why people would mention it. It was so long ago.”

So why does Knight, who remains a fan favorite, want to leave?

“Have you seen the show lately?” says the source. Knight has received little screen time this season, with the show focusing on controvesial storylines like the romance between Katherine Heigl’s Izzie and her long-dead lover, Denny.

“It’s time to move on,” says the source. “It just feels like this is the right time to go.”

News of Knight’s possible exit comes after Grey’s made headlines last month when actress Brooke Smith, who played Dr. Erica Hahn, was abruptly let go from the show.

Jay Leno is staying at NBC, and he'll be taking over a huge chunk of the network's prime-time schedule starting next fall.Leno, who's stepping down from "The Tonight Show" in May to make way for Conan O'Brien, will be handed the reins of the 10 p.m. timeslot five nights a week, according to multiple news reports. A formal announcement from NBC is expected on Tuesday.Handing such a significant chunk of primetime over to Leno does a couple of things for NBC. First and foremost, it keeps the undisputed late-night ratings leader from becoming a competitor; rumors had been rampant that Leno would jump to ABC or FOX once his "Tonight" tenure ended. It would also give the network original programming in the 10 p.m. hour nearly year-round (the workaholic Leno would likely take only a handful of weeks off) at a significantly lower cost than would come with scripted shows.Even though Leno will command a huge salary -- he currently makes in the neighborhood of $27 million a year -- putting his show on five nights a week will still cost less than the same amount of scripted programming.NBC isn't commenting, but reports say that Leno will basically be doing the same show in primetime. He'll reportedly remain in his Burbank studio digs -- the network is constructing a new "Tonight Show" set for O'Brien on the Universal lot -- and keep popular segments like "Headlines" and "Jaywalking."What that means for O'Brien, who was tapped as Leno's successor way back in 2004, and "The Tonight Show's" ability to book guests, remains to be seen. O'Brien is expected to leave his current job at "Late Night" in February or early March, with former "Saturday Night Live" regular Jimmy Fallon taking over for him soon thereafter."The Tonight Show" is drawing about 5 million viewers a night this season. Lots more people watch television at 10 p.m. than at 11:35 p.m., so NBC is banking that prime-time Leno will bring in a significantly larger audience.A Leno show at 10 p.m. every weeknight will also shrink the available real estate for comedies, dramas and other fare on NBC. Shows like "Law & Order: SVU" would likely move back an hour to 9 p.m., while competition for the remaining time periods becomes even more fierce.

Move over, Caroline Kennedy, there's a new contender for Hillary Clinton's vacant Senate seat - the TV nanny with the braying laugh. Fran Drescher has gone public with her bid for Governor Paterson's appointment as the replacement senator from New York.Drescher runs down the list of her qualifications for New York Magazine. "I've just been given the appointment of U.S. diplomat. My title is public diplomacy and envoy for women's health issues, and I just got back from a four-country European tour of duty. I believe next I'll be sent to the Middle East."The star and creator of 'The Nanny' goes on to say, "I've been very successful in getting a bill passed in Washington. I was thinking I'd take the next four years to lay some groundwork, but I'm throwing my hat in the ring. I'm an authentic and honest person and I think Capitol Hill needs more of that."

Whomever Governor Paterson appoints to the Senate will hold the seat for two years before running in a special election in 2010.

Monday, December 8, 2008

Pop star and DJ Boy George was found guilty of false imprisonment by a jury in London. He will be sentenced next month.

He was tried under his real name, George O'Dowd, at Snaresbrook Crown Court, and had denied the charges but chose not to give evidence in his own defence.

Audun Carlsen, a 29 year old sex worker, told the court of his ordeal at the hands of O'Dowd.

He met the star on the dating website Gaydar in 2007 and agreed to go to his flat in London's Shoreditch late one night for a "photo session."

In the following months the pop star sent the prostitute a series of messages on Gaydar and eventually arranged to meet again.On April 28th Carlsen returned to the apartment.

He was confronted by O'Dowd and another man. He was attacked, dragged across the floor by O'Dowd, handcuffed to a wall by the bed at the Culture Club singer's east London flat and beaten with a chain, until he managed to flee.

O'Dowd was angry because he believed Carlsen had tampered with his computer.

He told the court O'Dowd was screaming "F****** whore! Now you're going to get what you deserve".

The pop star told police "I asked him to come (back to my flat) because I wanted to find out if this guy had borrowed my stuff.

"I got a friend there because I wanted to make sure he didn't leave so I could check the computer and his phone. The friend was just there in case he tried to stab me or take a hammer to me."

Last year George completed five days of community service in New York after being convicted of false reporting of an incident.

He claimed he had been robbed, but when police arrived to investigate they found a large quantity of cocaine in his flat.

British pop icon Sir Cliff Richard says he loves keeping fans guessing about his sexuality.Throughout his 50 years in the showbiz limelight, Sir Cliff has been surrounded by rumour and innuendo about his sexuality. And now the 68-year-old has confided how he loves to keep people guessing."I'm an enigma and I love it," the committed christian told BBC TV's religious program Songs of Praise. "I love that after all these years they still don't think they know everything about me."I know but I don't care, that's the thing."

Sir Cliff's remarks come after he detailed his close friendship with a former Catholic priest John McElynn in his autobiography released in September. In the book, the pop singer described McElynn as his "companion" and revealed they lived together.During his TV interview, Sir Cliff said the statements in his book about his support for same-sex relationships had been interpreted by some readers as being about his own sexuality."I was trying to be very philosophical about a lot of things, including same-sex relationships," he told the BBC. "There have been changes within my faith, I was at one time quite judgmental."

Sunday, December 7, 2008

Message about the "Day Without a Gay".On December 10, 2008 the gay community will take a historic stance against hatred by donating love to a variety of different causes.On December 10th, you are encouraged not to call in sick to work. You are encouraged to call in "gay"--and donate your time to service!

December 10, 2008 is International Human Rights Day. CLICK HERE to join, and search or add to the list of human rights organizations that need our help RIGHT NOW.If you know of a non-profit in search of volunteers on December 10, 2008, notify them to send an email to info@daywithoutagay.org.

James Franco looks hot in the new December/January issue of BlackBook Magazine.The 30-year-old actor, who plays the lover of Harvey Milk (Sean Penn) in Gus van Sant’s highly biopic Milk, speaks candidly about his career and his studies at Columbia and NYU. Franco, who wrote directed and starred in 2005's Ape, a film about a closeted gay writer, discussed playing another gay character in Milk:On working with Sean Penn: “After we wrapped up Milk, Sean Penn said to me, ‘I’m going to have to break up with you now.”

On his outlook on gay relationships: “As soon as I got out of high school, I was like, I don’t care if anybody’s gay. It doesn’t matter. Doing Milk, I don’t know if it broadened my mind at all. I like to think that I was as open as I could be at that point.”Read the full article and more pics, by visiting BlackBookMag.com

A lonely Brody Jenner announces "Bromance", his upcoming MTV reality show through which he’s hoping to fill the empty spot ex-best-bro Spencer Pratt left in his heart.Brody’s invited 9 guys from across the U.S. to compete for the prize of living the celebrity highlife in a luxurious Hollywood mansion with him. Each of the 6 episodes will end as a rejected “bro” is asked to leave the bachelor pad dripping wet during a “Hot Tub Elimination Ceremony.”

I love it when we find something that not only looks cool but functions in a clever way.The UU22 Wine Tray is an elegant way to serve wine. This tray can hold from one to four stemmed glasses.Made from satin anodized aluminum, available in four different colored finishes, the 3.5" diameter opening is a perfect place to hold your wine bottle. And a neat little feature is that the base even has silicone rubber feet to stop it slipping too.

Heath Ledger's family paid a teary tribute to the Aussie actor in accepting an AFI award on behalf of his "precious Matilda".

Ledger was posthumously given the Australian Film Institute's international award for Best Actor for his virtuoso performance as the Joker in The Dark Knight.

"It was this swaggering, psychopathic clown that turned his career into a legacy and the name Heath Ledger into an ongoing inspiration to actors everywhere," the AFI said at the glittering awards ceremony on Saturday night.

"He was the untamed spirit many of us wish we could be. May the legend live on."

His father Kim, mother Sally and sister Kate accepted the award from actor Michael Caton, receiving a standing ovation from the A-list film and television crowd in Melbourne's Princess Theatre.

"It's been without a doubt the most difficult year, losing such a loved family member," said Kate Ledger, fighting back tears.

"We are so proud of him and humbly accept this award on behalf of his beautiful daughter, who we will cherish forever."

Sally Ledger thanked the AFI for the tribute to her son.

"We are immensely proud of him, not only for his professional achievements but in the way he truly cherished his family, friends and his precious Matilda," she said.

"Heath was never one to accept mediocrity, he put his heart and soul into achieving what he believed was required and followed his passions with great enthusiasm and an insatiable curiosity.

"He did achieve internationally. However, Heath also believed in the Australian film industry and loved any chance to be back home and working with an Aussie cast and crew."

This news has part of me saying "great, this should be fun!" and the other part of me saying, "oh God, please don't have Mr. Slate making a sex tape with Wilma."Marco Pennette is writing a Broadway musical version of The Flintstones, and this version is supposed to involve modern-day topics such as marriage problems, adoption, and the environment. Now, this could be good, in a Brady Bunch Movie sort of way, if they really play it for laughs. It could be horrible if they don't.I don't understand the plot of having Wilma thinking about leaving Fred because he still acts like a caveman and hasn't grown. Wasn't The Flintstones set in caveman times (albeit with elephant vacuum cleaners and cars powered by feet)? Or are they going to set the show today and just have them still living like they used to? Sounds like The Brady Bunch Movie again.Pennette has been involved in many shows over the years as a producer and/or writer, including Ugly Betty, Samantha Who?, What I Like About You, Caroline in the City, Dave's World, Dear John, and Kate & Allie.

So you think your Christmas is going to be dysfunctional? According to Page Six, Ashton Kutcher and Demi Moore plan to celebrate Christmas with Bruce Willis and his girlfriend, Emma Heming. Can we say awkward? The couples just returned from "an unconventional Thanksgiving" together in Europe, Moore said, but it looks like they're getting ready for round two.

Even though the families just spent Thanksgiving together in France to celebrate daughter Scout Willis' debut at Europe's most prestigious debutante ball, the Crillon Ball, they plan to reunite."We had an unconventional Thanksgiving, and we will all be together for Christmas as well with our three daughters. I think the key with any past is that you recognize and hold on to what you loved and what you gained and you don't attach yourself to what you've lost," Moore said.

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Virgin America has announced the launch of their in-flight Wi-Fi service on Monday.The launch is a beta test that is going to last for a period of one week.The goal is for it to launch commercially on December 1st after they work out all of the bugs and such.This is a very aggressive move for Virgin America as they are trying to garner more passengers from other airlines.The system being used comes from Aircell and will be on all Virgin America planes by the middle of 2009.

Those who take part in the beta test with Virgin America will be able to use it for free.

Irish pop group Boyzone have been criticised for featurung a gay couple in their new music video.

The promo for the band’s single "Better" features singer Stephen Gately, who is gay, getting up close with a male actor. And according to Northern Ireland newspaper, the Dromore Leader, an Irish minister has now slammed the clip - claiming it sends a "deadly message to young people.”

Reverend David McCullough, minister of Dromore Reformed Presbyterian Church in Northern Ireland, tells the publication, “This video, that will be watched by millions, is sending out a deadly message to young people. It is stating that homosexuality is simply another norm. The video very cleverly interweaves softly lighted, black and white images of heterosexual couples with a homosexual couple. “The message is plain and the often repeated drum beating of the homosexual lobby that says that homosexuality is a normal lifestyle.”

Monday, November 24, 2008

Madonna recently expressed to the Associated Press about how she is handling her divorce from husband Guy RitchieQuote from Madonna:"I'm sad about my personal life, but I feel very blessed and very lucky that I have the opportunity to do what I do in my professional life. It would be horrible if I was just thinking about getting a divorce and had nothing to do."

With the holidays fast approaching, we would like to share with you a few websites that will help you with finding the best deals available for Super Shoppers.

www.dealalerterer.comDeal Alerter is a service of Consumer World, a leading online non-commercial, public service consumer resource guide. It is powered by PriceGrabber, a comparison price shopping robot that provides all the pricing and notification services.

www.fatwallet.comFatWallet.com was launched in 1999, as one page listing for coupons from a handful of retailers. With the addition of a Hot Deals forum, FatWallet.com has become a community for savvy shoppers with over 800 merchant partners.

Slickdeals.net is a free, user-driven deal sharing site which provides consumers an avenue to collaborate and share information in order to make the best shopping decisions. It provides users with a forum for communication and various shopping tools.

Sunday, November 23, 2008

According to a recent Billboard.com article, No Doubt are returning to touring in 2009 and will also be working on new material.The group made the announcement via an instant message transcript posted on their official Web site, but did not provide specific details. "I have cabin fever. Maybe we should play some shows or something," guitarist Tom Dumont wrote.Gwen Stefani answered, "I think we should go out now. I don't think we should wait. Pack up the babies and get a bunch of nannies. So fun! Would be so inspiring to get out there and play all those songs again."I can't wait! More info coming as we get it!

The music superstar, 50, donned Islamic garb to pledge allegiance to the Koran in a ceremony at a pal’s mansion in Los Angeles, UK's newspaper "The Sun" revealed.

Jackson sat on the floor wearing a tiny hat after an Imam was summoned to officiate, days before the singer is due to appear at London’s High Court where he is being sued by an Arab sheik.A source told how Jackson, brought up as a Jehovah’s Witness, decided to convert as he used a studio at the home of his chum to record a new album.

The star, whose hits include "The Way You Make Me Feel", was spotted looking “a bit down” by a producer and a songwriter who had both embraced Islam. The source said: “They began talking to him about their beliefs, and how they thought they had become better people after they converted. Michael soon began warming to the idea.

“An Imam was summoned from the mosque and Michael went through the shahada, which is the Muslim declaration of belief.” Mikaeel is the name of one of Allah’s angels. “Jackson rejected an alternative name, Mustafa — meaning “the chosen one”.

British singer Yousef Islam, who was called Cat Stevens until he famously converted, turned up to help Michael celebrate. It was his pals David Wharnsby, a Canadian songwriter, and producer Phillip Bubal who counselled Jackson. The pair’s new names are Dawud Wharnsby Ali and Idris Phillips.

Jackson now prays to Mecca after the ceremony at the Hollywood Hills home of Toto keyboard player Steve Porcaro, 51, who composed music on the singer’s Thriller album.

Michael, who rarely ventures out without a mask, is due to give evidence on Monday in a $10 million lawsuit brought by Prince Abdulla Al-Khalif of Bahrain. The sheik claims he bankrolled the singer’s lavish lifestyle in exchange for an exclusive recording contract. The billionaire sent songs for him to record but claims he was blanked. He told the court yesterday: “Many times he confirmed to me he would pay me back.”

Hugh Jackman has revealed that his wife hates hearing rumors that he is gay.The actor, who was this week named the sexiest man alive by People magazine, said wife Deborra-Lee Furness often has to assure people that her husband is straight."She said the most infuriating times would be in the bathroom because all she'd hear is: 'Is he or isn't he gay?' 'I don't know, he's married'. 'Oh, who cares? I'm sure he's gay'," he told People."She used to call out from the stall: 'He's not gay. I'm telling you he's not.' And there would be silence until someone said: 'I think that's his wife.'"

Nicollette Sheridan had a special guest at her party to ring in turning 45 – a possible new beau in David Spade.Celebrating her birthday at new L.A. hot spot Luau with Desperate Housewives costars Felicity Huffman, onscreen husband Neal McDonough and Kyle MacLachlan, the newly single Sheridan at first played it coy with her man of the evening. "They arrived separately and even started dinner at different booths," says an onlooker. It was a familiar scene: The duo were spotted a couple of weeks ago at the restaurant's opening, where they spent the night in deep conversation. This time, though, things got a little more intimate."They cuddled and kissed," says an onlooker. "They were full-on making out in a booth."Decked out in a sequined gold frock, the birthday girl sipped on lychee martinis throughout the night and giddily enjoyed a specialty cake that read "Happy Birthday Princessa."While a source insists the two aren't dating, the onlooker said that "David winked at her and stood by her side while she blew out the candles on her cake."

Madonna is doing her best to get through her split from husband Guy Ritchie – with a little help from ex-husband Sean Penn, according to a source close to the singer."It's a sad situation, but she's not heartbroken," says the source, who saw the 50-year-old icon hours before a London court granted the couple a preliminary "quickie divorce" on Friday. "She's handling it well."Madonna, who rocked Philadelphia as part of her Sticky and Sweet tour on Thursday, is focusing on her work and her children to keep her mind off the end of her nearly eight-year marriage to Ritchie, says the source. "She's got a very busy life."Also helping her through the tough time is her ex-husband. The singer and Penn were spotted having drinks at the Greenwich Hotel in Manhattan on Wednesday night. "They have a nice rapport," says the source. "There's nothing romantic there. They're just good friends."

Target wants to be sure it gets your holiday business this year. The retail giant has seen its profits take a nosedive this year, as shoppers cut back to just the essentials. Nearly half the store's revenue comes from non-essentials, though, like fashion and trendy housewares. To be sure they move items like this over the next month, Target will be offering some serious bargains.The company says that it will match prices with its chief rival, Wal-Mart, in local markets, and will offer daily rotating value items on its website, while aggressively cutting prices on popular national brands. Though Target has cut prices around the holidays in previous years, Chief Executive Gregg Steinhafel says the company is really ramping up its promotions for 2008, and expects to be the price leader on many gift items.This makes Target very attractive for holiday shoppers this year. I remember doing most of my shopping there last year anyway, and I saved myself 10% extra by opening the Target credit card on the day I shopped for my friends and family. Then I paid it off and closed the account. If you can exercise discipline, there's no reason not to go for the in-store credit card offers, especially if you can take 10 or more percent off a large purchase. With the Target credit card profits dropping sharply recently, I wouldn't be surprised to see the store offer even better incentives to qualified applicants.You should not forget to check the website for those rotating value items, too.

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